Log homes, built with interlocking logs and wood as the main material, range from simple cabins to elaborate designs based on the homeowner's taste and budget.
Log homes are structures constructed with logs that are interlocked and notched at the corners. These types of homes are made with wood as the predominant material. They can be built on-site or pre-cut and delivered to the site for assembly.
Most people often picture a cabin when they hear of log homes. However, these structures can be plain simple rectangular (or any shape actually) buildings or more elaborate designs; it all depends on the taste and budget of the homeowner.
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In this article, we will discuss the basics of log homes, maintenance, and renovations so stay with us if you own a log home or intend to get one.
Common Log Home Issues and Maintenance Tips
Just as with any kind of home, these structures in question need regular care and maintenance to remain in good shape. We dare say that due to the material of construction, extra care needs to be taken to ensure that a log home remains in top shape.
We will look at some of the common issues that plague wooden structures and how to go about fixing them.
Moisture
We all know that wood and water or moisture are not best of friends as long-term exposure to moisture causes it to grow mildew or mold and rot. Although wooden structures are designed in such a way that they can handle rain, lack of proper maintenance can give room for the structure to absorb moisture. It is therefore important to prevent your log home from absorbing moisture.
The following are simple tips for preventing this from happening:-
- Do not plant a garden, flowers, or shrubs close to the sides of the building.
- Build up topsoil around the foundation of the house to help drain rainwater away.
- Ensure that the house is well sealed, always check for cracks, and also inspect old seals regularly.
- Clean out the rain gutters regularly. Check out this site for tips on how to maintain your rain gutters.
Sunlight
While sunlight is essential for life, UV rays can cause damage to wood; this is in addition to discoloration. What happens is that over time wood that is exposed to UV rays has its fibre broken down and the wood warps or cracks. This therefore means that if you do not carry out the proper maintenance, your structure is in danger of sun damage; this means a short lifespan.
The main way to prevent sun damage is to refresh the stain on the exterior of the house whenever you notice that it is fading. The stain will not only refresh the color of the house but also protect it from mildew, mold, and rot. Therefore to ensure the longevity of your home, ensure that you use top-quality wood stain for proper coverage.
Insect and Animal
It is a known fact that animals and insects like wood and a lot of pests would always look for rotten or dead wood to nest in or eat. It is therefore necessary to always be on the lookout for carpenter ants, termites, carpenter bees or beetles. Once you see signs of them, ensure that you take action immediately or else they will erode the structural integrity of your house.
Woodpeckers can also do serious damage to the siding of your home so ensure that you guard against them attacking your house.
The following are ways you can take care of animal and insect issues:-
- Always clear fallen debris or rotting/dead wood from the house.
- Adopt rubber or stone mulch if you have a garden.
- Use products from local hardware stores to treat insect invasions or hire experts to exterminate them.
- Install reflective streamers or tape to scare birds away from the house.
- If there are bird feeders in your yard, ensure that they are far away from the house.
The above issues that we have discussed are the most predominant issues that log homeowners often face. These issues can actually be handled DIY style; however, when it comes to more serious issues of Log Building Maintenance and Restoration, you need to call in the experts. This is because restoration jobs require more in-depth knowledge of construction and other aspects of woodwork.
Conclusion
In this article, we have shared some tips on how you can maintain your log home. It is important to point out that owning one of these homes is a decision that must not be taken lightly. You need to count both the cost of construction and the cost of maintenance. You also need to factor in the fact that issues may arise that will warrant some restoration work.
We believe that the tips we have shared here will go a long way in helping you maintain your log home and also increase the longevity of the home.
